Showing papers on "Smart device published in 2016"

Securing Smart Cities Using Blockchain Technology

Abstract: A smart city uses information technology to integrate and manage physical, social, and business infrastructures in order to provide better services to its dwellers while ensuring efficient and optimal utilization of available resources. With the proliferation of technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and interconnected networks, smart cities can deliver innovative solutions and more direct interaction and collaboration between citizens and the local government. Despite a number of potential benefits, digital disruption poses many challenges related to information security and privacy. This paper proposes a security framework that integrates the blockchain technology with smart devices to provide a secure communication platform in a smart city.

Fog Computing: The Cloud-IoT\/IoE Middleware Paradigm

Abstract: The Internet of Things (IoT) is a technological revolution that represents the future of connectivity and reachability. In the IoT, things refer to any object on the face of the Earth, whether it is a communicating device or a noncommunicating "dumb" object. From a smart device to a leaf of a tree or a beverage bottle, anything can be part of the Internet. The objects become communicating nodes over the Internet through data communication means, primarily through radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. The IoT includes smart objects as well. Smart objects are digital, physical entities, which perform some tasks for humans and/or the environment. This is why the IoT is not only a hardware and software paradigm but also includes interaction and social aspects.

Collecting and Analyzing Data from Smart Device Users with Local Differential Privacy

Abstract: Organizations with a large user base, such as Samsung and Google, can potentially benefit from collecting and mining users' data. However, doing so raises privacy concerns, and risks accidental privacy breaches with serious consequences. Local differential privacy (LDP) techniques address this problem by only collecting randomized answers from each user, with guarantees of plausible deniability; meanwhile, the aggregator can still build accurate models and predictors by analyzing large amounts of such randomized data. So far, existing LDP solutions either have severely restricted functionality, or focus mainly on theoretical aspects such as asymptotical bounds rather than practical usability and performance. Motivated by this, we propose Harmony, a practical, accurate and efficient system for collecting and analyzing data from smart device users, while satisfying LDP. Harmony applies to multi-dimensional data containing both numerical and categorical attributes, and supports both basic statistics (e.g., mean and frequency estimates), and complex machine learning tasks (e.g., linear regression, logistic regression and SVM classification). Experiments using real data confirm Harmony's effectiveness.

A Continuous Hand Gestures Recognition Technique for Human-Machine Interaction Using Accelerometer and Gyroscope Sensors

Abstract: Recent advances in smart devices have sustained them as a better alternative for the design of human–machine interaction (HMI), because they are equipped with accelerometer sensor, gyroscope sensor, and an advanced operating system. This paper presents a continuous hand gestures recognition technique that is capable of continuous recognition of hand gestures using three-axis accelerometer and gyroscope sensors in a smart device. To reduce the influence of unstableness of a hand making the gesture and compress the data, a gesture coding algorithm is developed. An automatic gesture spotting algorithm is developed to detect the start and end points of meaningful gesture segments. Finally, a gesture is recognized by comparing the gesture code with gesture database using dynamic time warping algorithm. In addition, a prototype system is developed to recognize the continuous hand gestures-based HMI. With the smartphone, the user is able to perform the predefined gestures and control smart appliances using the Samsung AllShare protocol.

A smart device enabled system for autonomous fall detection and alert

Abstract: The activity model based on 3D acceleration and gyroscope is created in this paper, and the difference between the activities of daily living (ADLs) and falls is analyzed at first. Meanwhile, the kNN algorithm and sliding window are introduced to develop a smart device enabled system for fall detection and alert, which is composed of a wearable motion sensor board and a smart phone. The motion sensor board integrated with triaxial accelerometer, gyroscope, and Bluetooth is attached to a custom vest worn by the elderly to capture the reluctant acceleration and angular velocity of ADLs in real time. The stream data via Bluetooth is then sent to a smart phone, which runs a program based on the kNN algorithm and sliding window to analyze the stream data and detect falls in the background. At last, the experiment shows that the system identifies simulated falls from ADLs with a high accuracy of 97.7%, while sensitivity and specificity are 94% and 99%, respectively. Besides, the smart phone can issue an alarm and notify caregivers to provide timely and accurate help for the elderly, as soon as a fall is detected.

QoE in video streaming over wireless networks: perspectives and research challenges

Abstract: The deployment of 3G/LTE networks and advancements in smart mobile devices had led to high demand for multimedia streaming over wireless network. The rapid increasing demand for multimedia content poses challenges for all parties in a multimedia streaming system, namely, content providers, wireless network service providers, and smart device makers. Content providers and mobile network service providers are both striving to improve their streaming services while utilizing advancing technologies. Smart device makers endeavor to improve processing power and displays for better viewing experience. Ultimately, the common goal shared by content providers, network service providers, and smart device manufactures is to improve the QoE for users. QoE is both an objective and a subjective metric measuring the streaming quality experience by end users. It may be measured by streaming bitrate, playback smoothness, video quality metrics like Peak to Signal Noise Ratio, and other user satisfaction factors. There have been efforts made to improve the streaming experiences in all these aspects. In this paper, we conducted a survey on existing literatures on QoE of video streaming to gain a deeper and more complete understanding of QoE quality metrics. The goal is to inspire new research directions in defining better QoE and improving QoE in existing and new streaming services such as adaptive streaming and 3D video streaming.

Security and Privacy Issues in IoT

Abstract: Internet of Things (IoT) is a global network of physical and virtual ‘things’ connected to the internet. Each object has unique ID which is used for identification. IoT is the emerging technology which will change the way we interact with devices. In future almost every electronic device will be a smart device which can compute and communicate with hand-held and other infrastructure devices. As most of the devices may be battery operated, due to less processing power the security and privacy is a major issue in IoT. Authentication, Identification and device heterogeneity are the major security and privacy concerns in IoT. Major challenges include integration, scalability, ethics communication mechanism, business models and surveillance. In this paper major issues related to security and privacy of IoT are focused.

A paper-based lanthanide smart device for acid–base vapour detection, anti-counterfeiting and logic operations

Abstract: Paper-based devices have attracted extensive attention due to their portability, low-cost, ubiquity, low environmental footprint and ease of operation. In the present study, two lanthanide complexes, namely [Eu(PBA)3(H2O)2] (Eu-PBA) and [Tb(HPBA)2(NO3)3] (Tb-HPBA) were synthesized using an amide-type β-diketone building block, N-(2-pyridinyl)benzoylacetamide (HPBA), which is capable of changing its energy-level to match that of Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions in an acid–base environment. This feature was used for the design and assembly of a simple and cost-effective paper-based lanthanide smart device (abbreviated as Paper-Eu/Tb), which was obtained by impregnating the filter paper with both the Eu-PBA and Tb-HPBA complexes; related homometallic Paper-Eu and Paper-Tb materials were also generated and characterized for comparative purposes. The obtained Paper-Eu/Tb device shows excellent luminescence properties, thus allowing its efficient use as a smart sensor for the naked-eye detection of various acid–base vapours with quick response, good reversibility and selectivity. A similar concept and the resulting paper-based device was also successfully expanded for other applications that include anti-counterfeiting and logic gate systems. Full characterization of the paper-based materials and examples of their use are described. Introduction to the international collaboration The present article is a part of an ongoing collaboration between the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Lanzhou University (P.R. China) and Instituto Superior Tecnico of University of Lisbon (Portugal). Starting from 2013, this collaboration has been successful in merging the expertise of the Chinese group on novel rare-earth complexes and their smart devices for luminescent probes, tumor marker/treatment, optical anti-counterfeiting, and catalysis with that of the Portuguese group on coordination chemistry, crystal engineering, and catalysis. This Sino-European collaboration has already resulted in the publication of 10 research papers devoted to the design and assembly of various smart nanocomposite materials for applications ranging from cancer therapy and detection of biomarkers to oxidation catalysis and sensing or separation of metal ions.

Smart foot device for women safety

Abstract: In this paper, an attempt has been made to develop a smart device that can assist women when they feel unsafe. This smart device will be clipped to the footwear of the user and can be triggered discreetly. On tapping one foot behind the other four times, an alert is sent via Bluetooth Low Energy communication to an application on the victim's phone, programmed to generate a message seeking help with the location of the device attached. The results obtained were analysed using Naive Bayes classifier and this low cost device showed an overall accuracy of 97.5%.

Battery beacon systems and methods of use

Abstract: A device for operation as part of a system or network, the device combining a power cell, a battery housing enclosing the power cell, and an on-board radiobeacon within the housing, where the battery is configured to supply DC power to an external apparatus and to the radiobeacon in parallel. A sensor or sensor package may also be included in the battery device and reports to the system or network. In response to a sensor or clock-derived trigger, a microcontroller in the battery uses the radiobeacon to broadcast messages to a radio receiver of a smart device or a network system. The radiobeacon has a unique identifier, and because the messages are low energy, low power radio transmissions having a maximum range of less that about 300 ft (about 100 m). Any smart device or network receiving the beacon signal may track, map and monitor the signal from the device.

Validation Techniques for Sensor Data in Mobile Health Applications

Abstract: Mobile applications have become a must in every user’s smart device, and many of these applications make use of the device sensors’ to achieve its goal. Nevertheless, it remains fairly unknown to the user to which extent the data the applications use can be relied upon and, therefore, to which extent the output of a given application is trustworthy or not. To help developers and researchers and to provide a common ground of data validation algorithms and techniques, this paper presents a review of the most commonly used data validation algorithms, along with its usage scenarios, and proposes a classification for these algorithms. This paper also discusses the process of achieving statistical significance and trust for the desired output.

Remote parking control system and control method thereof

Abstract: A remote parking control system capable of displaying an operating state of a vehicle received from a vehicle controller to a smart device when a second authentication is completed through a pairing of the smart device in which a first authentication is completed through a pairing of the smart device and a smart key, and the vehicle controller, and a control method thereof are provided.

An Open Source “Smart Lamp” for the Optimization of Plant Systems and Thermal Comfort of Offices

Abstract: The article describes the design phase, development and practical application of a smart object integrated in a desk lamp and called "Smart Lamp", useful to optimize the indoor thermal comfort and energy savings that are two important workplace issues where the comfort of the workers and the consumption of the building strongly affect the economic balance of a company. The Smart Lamp was built using a microcontroller, an integrated temperature and relative humidity sensor, some other modules and a 3D printer. This smart device is similar to the desk lamps that are usually found in offices but it allows one to adjust the indoor thermal comfort, by interacting directly with the air conditioner. After the construction phase, the Smart Lamp was installed in an office normally occupied by four workers to evaluate the indoor thermal comfort and the cooling consumption in summer. The results showed how the application of the Smart Lamp effectively reduced the energy consumption, optimizing the thermal comfort. The use of DIY approach combined with read-write functionality of websites, blog and social platforms, also allowed to customize, improve, share, reproduce and interconnect technologies so that anybody could use them in any occupied environment.

Visible light communication of an access credential in an access control system

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, systems, and devices for communication of authentication information in an access control system. The authentication information may be transmitted to an electronic locking device configured to restrict access to an entry point of the access control system. In various embodiments, a smart device comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) and a wireless networking radio for exchanging access control information with a remote server. The smart device may receive information from the remote server that configures the LED to present authentication information as an optical signal. The electronic locking device may comprise a photodetector arranged to confront a user holding the smart device so as to receive an optical signal emitted by the smart device. According to various embodiments, the electronic locking device may be configured to respond to the authentication information conveyed by the optical signal by unlocking the entry point.

Vehicle parking and mass transport beacon system

Abstract: A vehicle parking and mass transport beacon system (60) implemented with a beacon device (10) configured as a wireless identifier and authentication mechanism offers a user a capability of bypassing infrastructures of commercial parking lots and facilities, mass transit systems, and taxi services when using them. The beacon system includes a source beacon and a user beacon, the latter of which implemented in a user smart device (36) such as a smartphone. The use of a source beacon and user smart device enables elimination of reliance on a cellular communication connection from the time of the user's grant of permission for action to the time of separation of the user smart device and the beacon by a distance outside the range of connectivity between them. Such elimination of reliance on cellular communication connection avoids delay and communication coverage issues stemming from use of a cellular communication network.

Diving–Surfacing Smart Locomotion Driven by a CO2-Forming Reaction, with Applications to Minigenerators

Abstract: Harvesting energy from environment has attracted increasing attention for its potential applications in fabricating minigenerator. However, most studies in the fabrication of mini- or nanogenerators are based on the concept of piezoelectricity or triboelectrification while few of the reports paid attention to the classical theory of Faraday's law. Herein, a pH responsive smart surface is combined with the reaction between CaCO3 and HCl to develop a new minigenerator, which can convert mechanical energy generated from the chemical reaction into electrical energy through cutting magnetic lines with moving conductive lines. The conductive lines are connected with a smart device consisting of a pH-responsive cube, a hydrophobic cube, and a quartz cell window; the device can perform diving-surfacing cycled motions with an intelligent initiation through the adjustment of the solution. The device can surface through gathering CO2 bubbles from the reaction between CaCO3 and HCl and dive by releasing the bubbles on the water/air interface. Moreover, the results demonstrate that the inert CO2 was nonhazardous to the smart surfaces, which is meaningful for durable electricity generation.

Security Mechanisms for Connectivity of Smart Devices in the Internet of Things

Abstract: The Internet of Things, abbreviated as IoT, is one of the most hyped concepts in this post-personal computer (PC) era. Gartner’s information technology Hype Cycle also gives much importance to the Internet of Things because of its immense opportunities in emerging global markets now and in forthcoming years. In the IoT, the base is a smart device which may be a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a Sony smart wallet, or a sensory device. The Internet of Things pervades almost all kinds of physical “things,” whether processing devices, devices with embedded processing ability, or measuring sensory devices. This technology provides a platform in which the physical world can be coupled with the virtual world, with the ultimate aim of a better quality of life. Nevertheless, IoT communication and connectivity are facing several security issues. The objective of the research, presented in this chapter, is to explore the concept of smart devices from the viewpoint of scholars, academicians, practitioners, and developers. Furthermore, this chapter also discusses, in some detail, the security mechanisms of smart devices, with emphasis on both physical and logical remedy mechanisms.

Methods and Systems for Presenting Smart Home Information in a User Interface

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for presenting smart home information. In one aspect, a method includes: (1) determining that a first set of smart devices correspond to a first space of a plurality of spaces of a dwelling; (2) displaying a first user interface including: (a) displaying a first interface section corresponding to the first space; and (b) displaying, within the first interface section, a plurality of user interface objects corresponding to the first set of smart devices, where each user interface object of the plurality of user interface objects corresponds to a respective smart device of the first set of smart devices; (3) detecting a user selection of a particular user interface object; and (4) in response to detecting the user selection of the particular user interface object, displaying a second user interface that includes additional information regarding the corresponding smart device.

Beacon for Proximity Target Marketing

Abstract: This paper presents a concept of an extended iBeacon system for proximity target marketing. iBeacon is a proximal wireless notification service proposed by Apple, Inc. This service uses beacon modules emitting radio waves based on Bluetooth Low Energy technology and provides automatic triggering of a single notification from a beacon module to multiple smart phones at proximity. In usual iBeacon systems, there is one-to-one correspondence between notification and beacon module. However, if we introduce a memory to remember the history of iBeacon detection, iBeacon systems can be extended to handle multiple notifications by multiple beacon modules with awareness of some contexts of pedestrians’ moving directions, which enables a guide, for example, to the exit of buildings. We explain this idea for proximity target marketing using iBeacon and discuss its implementation with our simple experiment and performance evaluation. We are going to explain what it is and how it works, in order to understand how the app works and how it uses these potentialities. This new technology may also be used by Android system. iBeacon works with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), also known as Bluetooth 4.0 or intelligent Bluetooth. We show in this project how iBeacon technically really work, The app. Smart devices, such as Android phone can detect advertising signals sent by the low energy consumption tiny device. Notifications will be pushed automatically to the user when smart device with iBeacon Apps come to certain areas. It provides promising and portfolio usage scenarios for business, such as retail stores, to push related information about customers’ interested items with the awareness of customers’ location.

UniPass: design and evaluation of a smart device-based password manager for visually impaired users

Abstract: Visually impaired users face various challenges in web authentication. We designed UniPass, an accessible password manager for visually impaired users based on a smart device. To evaluate UniPass, we tested and compared UniPass with two commercial password managers: LastPass, a popular password manager and StrongPass, a smart device-based password manager. Our study results of ten users, six blind and four with low vision, suggest that password managers are a promising authentication approach for visually impaired users. Participants using UniPass had the highest task completion rate and took the shortest time to complete an authentication related task. Furthermore, the majority (seven out of ten) of our participants preferred UniPass over LastPass and StrongPass.

Variable-resistance exercise machine with wireless communication for smart device control and interactive software applications

Abstract: A variable-resistance exercise machine with wireless communication for smart device control and interactive software applications, comprising a wireless network interface that receives input from a user device and provides output to a user device; a plurality of moving surfaces that each provide an independent degree of resistance to movement based on received input and that detect movement and provide output to a user device based on the movement; and a plurality of rigid rails that provide a rigid support for a human user to grasp, and that provide attachment points for a user to affix a variety of devices.

The Contextual Complexity of Privacy in Smart Homes and Smart Buildings

Abstract: Smart technologies allow unprecedented visibility into activities in homes and buildings, while they enable new services that householders and workers will value. As people become increasingly aware of the magnitude and potentially sensitive nature of the data being collected through these technologies, privacy is emerging as a potential barrier to user adoption. In this paper, we apply leading privacy models to the results of qualitative research in which we solicited ideas for adding intelligence to homes and buildings, paying particular attention to information sensitivity about everyday activities that take place in those settings. We identify locations and activities that are particularly information-sharing sensitive, prioritize the salience of different types of privacy violations for householders and workers, and examine the influence of privacy attitudes on smart device ownership and desired future smart experiences.

Home automation system

Abstract: A home automation system comprises a central processing unit controlling a network in communication with a plurality of smart devices comprising one or more of a switch or an outlet. Each smart device comprises a processor, a communication device in communication with the central processing unit via the network and a user interface for controlling or setting an operating parameter of the smart device.

Where Do Your IoT Ingredients Come From

Abstract: The Internet of Things (IoT) is here: smart objects are pervading our everyday life. Smart devices automatically collect and exchange data of various kinds, directly gathered from sensors or generated by aggregations. Suitable coordination primitives and analysis mechanisms are in order to design and reason about IoT systems, and to intercept the implied technology shifts. We address these issues by defining IoT-LySa, a process calculus endowed with a static analysis that tracks the provenance and the route of IoT data, and detects how they affect the behaviour of smart objects.

A Smart Device Integrated with an Android for Alerting a Person’s Health Condition: Internet of Things

Abstract: Objective: The main objective is to develop a smart device, which is integrated in order to help the aged people during the time of medical emergency situations using Internet of Things (IoT). Methods: The technical methodology implemented is to develop a smart device which works on the basic support of the android application. The device serving people in danger is built using the smart phone applications, Bluetooth transmitter and receiver and microcontroller (Kiel micro vision). Kiel micro vision is an integrated development environment used to create software to be run on embedded system (like a microcontroller). Effective Quality of Service (QoS) is achieved using the concept of IoT. Findings: The concept of IoT is implemented in order to develop an environment which provides a unique way to communicate and transfer data from one end to the other end. The Internet of Things is a new way implementation in the field of medical background, which acts as a media for information retrieval from physical world to digital world, which is enhanced by the support of android platform. Hence the embedded system together constitutes two devices: Stationary device and a Movable device. The Stationary device is inbuilt with an ATMEL Microcontroller, RF Receiver, Bluetooth module, Step-down transformer, an LCD display, Voltage regulator, resistors and Capacitors. The movable device is inbuilt with two buttons along with a RF Transmitter. Application: The smart device for alerting a person’s critical health condition is of good use as it is less expensive and easy to handle, since the people in need are helped in the right time. Moreover this system can also alert our neighborhood even in situations like robbery. The Stationary device which the person is handling can be made as a device attached to human body, say a watch. The size of the device is made smaller, even though the cost becomes higher. Call features also added instead of message feature because everyone looks on text message.

An Instrument for Measuring Students’ Perceived Digital Competence According to the DIGCOMP Framework

Abstract: The ability to use digital technologies to live, work and learn in today’s knowledge-based society is considered to be an essential competence. In schools, digital technologies such as smart devices offer new possibilities to improve student learning, but research is still needed to explain how to effectively apply them. In this paper we developed an instrument to investigate the digital competences of students based on constructs from the DIGCOMP framework and in the contexts of learning science and mathematics in school and outside of school. Pilot testing results of 173 students from the 6th and 9th grades (M = 12.7 and 15.7 years of age, respectively) were analyzed to remove unnecessary items from the instrument. The pilot study also showed preliminary smart device usage patterns that require confirmation by a large-scale study. Digitally competent use of smart devices may help facilitate widespread use of computer-based resources in science education.

Smart household control system

Abstract: The invention discloses a smart household control system which at least includes a smart object module, an easy module, and a timing module. The smart object module includes available smart household appliance devices. The timing module includes a countdown function which, based on working hours corresponding to the selected one or more than one smart household appliance devices and the time when a user arrives at a smart home, conducts countdown on the starting time of the smart household appliance device or devices. The smart object module and/or the smart household devices, the easy module, and the timing module that are available for selection therein sets and are selection-operatably displayed in an internet-connectable smart device terminal. The internet-connectable smart device terminal is connected to the smart household, and controls the smart household. According to the invention, the smart household control system can determine the starting time of the smart household in a more precise manner in accordance with the distance between a user and the smart household, which increases intelligence of the smart household and is much closer to user's life.

Robot operation device

Abstract: To provide a robot operation device which can use a portable operation terminal as a display/operation input part while equipped with safety, and easily perform input operation.SOLUTION: A robot operation device 4 includes: a portable smart device 7 having a touch panel part 71 for display/input; and a base member 8 having an arrangement part 81 arranging the smart device 7 so that it is attachable/detachable by a lid part 82 and a side part facing the same and the touch panel part 71 is exposed outside. End parts 81a, 81b of the base member 8 can be in contact with two sides facing the smart device 7 and have at least a part extend from an upper surface where the touch panel part 71 exists.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Method and apparatus for controlling smart device

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling a smart device. The method includes: when a screen of the terminal is locked and it is determined that a user performs a first preset operation on a control key on the lock screen of the terminal, acquiring information regarding at least one smart device through a preset smart-home Internet-of-Things (IoT) protocol and displaying the acquired information on a control interface of the terminal; and when it is detected that the user performs a second preset operation related to a smart device displayed on the control interface, controlling, according to the second preset operation, the smart device through the smart-home IoT protocol.